Download Charlie Wilson's War eBook

by George Crile

George Crile Politics and Government English

ISBN:

078618941X

Author:

George Crile

Category:

Politics & Government

Language:

English

Publisher:

Blackstone Audiobooks; Unabridged edition (November 2003)

EPUB book:

1164 kb

FB2 book:

1662 kb

DJVU:

1273 kb

Other formats

doc lrf txt lrf

Rating:

4.1

Votes:

825

Download EPUB Download FB2

More...

Charlie Wilson's War may refer to: The efforts of . the CIA's Operation Cyclone, the official name of the covert war itself

Charlie Wilson's War may refer to: The efforts of . the CIA's Operation Cyclone, the official name of the covert war itself. Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History, a 2003 book by George Crile III documenting the above events. Charlie Wilson's War (film), a 2007 film directed by Mike Nichols based on the book.

Praise for Charlie Wilson’s War: A vivid narrativ. harlie Wilson’s War is a. .Charlie Wilson’s War reads like a best-selling nove.George Crile has written a book revealing the extraordinary details and intrigue of a secret war, and that alone would be a monumental achievement. harlie Wilson’s War is a behind-the-scenes chronicle of a program that is still largely classifie.John Marshall, Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Charlie Wilson's War book. Crile was clearly enamored of Wilson, regarding him as a charismatic, larger-than-life figure, who performed a major service to the West by tipping the Soviet Union over the edge. Crile (foreground) with Wilson (suspenders) and an unnamed ISI agent Charlie Wilson's War is a chilling tale of how a few determined people can undermine all existing law, use their positions of power and influence to get unseen funds allocated, and pursue a major war without the approval of the American people.

Charlie Wilson's War is a 2007 American biographical comedy-drama film, based on the story of .

Similar authors to follow. Audible book Switch back and forth between reading the Kindle book and listening to the Audible book with Whispersync for Voice. No thriller writer would dare invent Wilson, a six-feet-four-inch Texas congressman,liberal on social issues but rabidly anti-Communist, a boozer, engaged in serial affairs and wheeler-dealer of consummate skill.

Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), George Crile (book) . In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson is a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas who seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, prodded by his major conservative supporter, Houston Socialite Joanne Herring, Wilson learns about the plight the people are suffering in the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. However, Charlie Wilson eventually learns that while military victory can be had, there are other consequences and prices to that fight that are ignored to everyone's sorrow.

Charlie Wilson's War was a publishing sensation and a New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller

Charlie Wilson's War was a publishing sensation and a New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times bestseller. In the early 1980s, a Houston socialite turned the attention of maverick Texas congressman Charlie Wilson to the ragged band of Afghan freedom fighters who continued, despite overwhelming odds, to fight the Soviet invaders.

Put the Tom Clancy clones back on the shelf; this covert-ops chronicle is practically impossible to put down

It's common knowledge that the . armed the Afghans in their fight against the Soviet Union, but until now, the fact that this was possibly the biggest, meanest covert operation in history has been absent from press reports. In one of the most detailed descriptions of a CIA operation every written, the bizarre twists and turns of the full story are told in CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR.

if they wanted to do business with him, there would be no more interruptions. MoreLess Show More Show Less.

This New York Times best-seller is the untold story behind the last battle of the Cold War, the rise of militant Islam, and of a colorful congressman from Texas who conspired with a rogue CIA operative to launch the most successful covert operation in CIA history.

Grari

I had been wanting to read this book ever since I saw the movie. Like most Hollywood efforts, the film doesn't come close to doing justice to the full story behind Charlie Wilson's single-minded campaign to bring down the Soviet Union's 40th Army that invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. The author expertly takes the reader through Wilson's campaign within Congress to fund the mujahideen freedom fighters. He also tells how CIA agent Gust Avrakotos became an integral figure in bringing the agency around to supporting Wilson's war. The epilogue is especially enlightening and well worth the time to read. It clarifies so much of what America has come to discover about the dangers of an armed and militant Islamic movement.

Broadcaster

Strangely I do not find the characters and events presented as admirable, yet I agree with those who do that this is a compelling read. It is a one-sided view: Russia is evil, the mujahideen are noble and worthy, and Wilson and the CIA managed to bring victory by subverting government. A more balanced piece, which this is decidedly not, would have presented more background regarding the history of Russian involvement and the continual internal discord in Afghanistan. I have the lowest opinion of American foreign policy during the cold war, and this is another shocking destructive and unnecessary event in the Legacy of Ashes of the CIA (look up that book for an even better read ). I do enjoy reading of sociopaths and that is what Wilson was. In fact, the whole thing is psycho to me, but it was one of those books that I couldn't put down and wanted to get back to when I did.

Mullador

Charlie Wilson, a tall smiling Texan, was not so much a Congressman, but a hedonist sitting in Congress. Loyal to the Democratic credo of big government, and trusted by Tip O'Neill, then House Speaker, he drank gargantuan quantities of liquor, bedded beautiful women, survived an investigation into cocaine use, and unbelievably, became the single most important advocate in America for the Afghan rebels, recognizing how bound and determined they were to thrust the Soviets out of their country. In part, he looked upon his mission as a payback for Vietnam, evening up the score, so to speak.

Aided by a rebellious rogue of a CIA agent, Gust Avarakos who was steeped in the Greek culture of manhood and who headed much of the strategic planning and weapons procurement, he pushed millions of dollars almost clandestinely,through Congress to achieve what became his principal objective in life, the defeat of the Soviets in Afghanistan. After drinking and schtupping, of course. Our boy never went on a trip to the region without a lady to hold,although whatever woman he was with had to pretend she was virginal while in Muslim countries like Pakistan. Religion however, did not prevent the Egyptian Defense Minister from being enthralled by Charlie's uh, personal belly dancer.

The story is serious and zany all at the same time, as if it were written in equal parts by Joseph Heller, Larry McMurtry and the great military historian, Victor Davis Hanson. What became Wilson's obsession led to the withdrawal of the Soviets, and ultimately, was an important nail in the coffin of the Evil Empire.

Mayno

It is almost too cliché to say it, but the book is way better than the movie - and I really liked the movie! Charlie Wilson has to be one of the great characters in modern US history and it was a delight to read about his exploits. I can see why Hollywood decided it was worth making a movie about this guy and what he accomplished. Truly an outstanding read and a fascinating story, all the more so for being true. If, like me, you saw the movie and are wondering whether it's worth it to get the book, let me tell you it is definitely worth it. There is so much more detail in the book and all of it is worth knowing.

Tygokasa

If you've seen the movie with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, then you will really enjoy this book. It explains in exacting detail all about Charlie Wilson, his faults and strengths, and how he came to get involved with the Afghans. This also brings the character of Gust Avrakotos to life and illustrates what a great job Phillip Seymour Hoffman did in the movie.

If you didn't see the movie, you will want to after reading this book.The book will help you understand the powerful job done in the movie. Just outstanding. A funny, entertaining, sad, uplifting, tragic sort of book.

The book clearly explains how gov't money gets doled out, spent, and underscores the saying that, "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon we're talking real money." Just shocking how our tax money is gobbled up for various special interest groups.